According to Samer, an aura is the perceptual disturbance experienced by some migraine sufferers before a migraine headache, and the telltale sensation experienced by some people with epilepsy before a seizure. It often manifests as the perception of a strange light or an unpleasant smell.

An aura does not necessitate the onset of either a migraine or a seizure and not everyone who suffers from migraines or seizures will experience auras. Though auras tend to be an unpleasant and irritating sensation, they can be beneficial. Most injuries from seizures occur when there is no warning. Auras allow epileptics time to prevent injury to themselves. The time between the appearance of the aura and the onset of a migraine or seizure can be anything from a few seconds up to an hour. Most people who have auras have the same type of aura every time.

Feeling of power or sense of euphoria (this symptom has been associated with discontinuation of seizure treatments - the sufferer may enjoy the experience and think it worth the seizure or migraine that follows)

Note: The previous statement suggests that the sense of empowerment experienced from the withdrawal of anticonvulsants is a symptom rather than the return of suppressed brain function. The most common anticonvulsants have hypnotic side effects,the withdrawal from such medications would naturally produce a sense of empowerment. It is a fallacy to suggest that this sensation is part of an illness.

The specific type of sensation associated with an aura can potentially be used in an attempt to localize the focus of a seizure.

Auras share similar symptoms with strokes, but onset is more gradual with auras. [2]